Park County Public Works is opening a new gravel pit to help build a road that will lead to the site of the planned Wyoming State Shooting Complex south of Cody. 

The county expects to obtain roughly 30,000 cubic yards of gravel from the pit, which is located on neighboring Hoodoo Ranch property. Park County commissioners approved a special use permit for the pit Tuesday. 

Back in May 2024, commissioners agreed to provide up to $750,000 worth of in-kind support for the shooting complex by turning the existing two-track into a gravel road. Getting the gravel from a nearby source instead of having to haul it from further away will keep the actual cost to the county well below that.

Commissioners agreed to build and maintain a road when the shooting complex’s location was still being discussed along with others around the state by the Legislature. 

A committee eventually recommended the Park County location to the governor, and after a last-second save by the Legislature last winter, an initial $10 million in state funding was granted to the project. Sen. Dan Laursen, R-Powell, has since said he plans on trying to get another $5 million to help fund the project. 

The State Shooting Complex Joint Powers Board is in the process of finalizing a design for the complex, hosting a public open house slated from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Park County Courthouse. However, none of the work on the complex can begin until vehicles without good off-road capabilities can reach the location. 

Park County Engineer Brian Edwards previously told the Tribune that a substantial amount of earthwork — including cutting, filling, grading, and shaping — needed to be done on the west end of the road alignment, nearest to the state land.

Once the rough grading is complete, shaping/preparation of the roadway, drainage ditches, and installation of culverts can proceed along the entire route. Edwards said the goal is to have the road substantially complete and in place by the end of the year so construction can proceed on the State Shooting Complex facility.

Once the county is done utilizing the gravel pit, the joint powers board will use gravel as needed for interior roads throughout the complex. Board member James Klessens previously said the pit will save a good amount of money for the nearly $20 million project. 

The pit will also be used as needed by the Hoodoo Ranch.

In its review of the pit, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department recommended activity be limited during periods of high use for wintering mule deer.

While the area is around prime sage grouse habitat, the Game and Fish says the nearest lek is more than a mile away.